The activity, which included technical inputs thru the presentations of concerned government agencies on firecracker regulations, also showed the “Iwas Paputok” video of the Department of Health (DOH) which featured how the firecracker victims incurred their respective injuries.

DOH – 6 Regional Violence and Injury Program Prevention (VIPP) coordinator Dr. May Ann Sta. Lucia said that the campaign aims to encourage the public to use alternative ways in celebrating Christmas and New Year in order to reduce the number of injuries and deaths brought about by unsafe use of fireworks and firecrackers.

The campaign is a component of VIPP.

“Piccolo, kwitis and 5 star firecrackers caused the most injuries in the region with 840 cases in 2014,” she said in her presentation, adding that the figure is 16 percent lesser compared to the same period in 2013.

The monitoring of firecracker –related injuries will officialy start on Dec. 21 and will end on Jan. 5, 2016.